How did the french revolution napoleon rise to power as an able military and political leader in france? the french revolution left france with a bankrupt government plagued by frequent internal conflict. the two main factions in france's government both wanted a neutral leader whom they hoped to control. the french revolution established napoleon as a military hero famous for his victories. britain was looking for a french ally to overturn the revolution and found napoleon to be a reliable choice. french generals were eager to make one of their own the leader of france, and they chose napoleon.